Stevenage ground out a 2-1 win against Carlisle at The Lamex on Saturday at The Lamex to move up to second spot in League Two.

A Kane Smith goal and assist was enough for Steve Evans to post a hard-fought victory over a stubborn Carlisle defence, with result extending their unbeaten start to the season. 

Stevenage were unchanged from Tuesdays night win over Rochdale, with matchwinner Smith and Arthur Read retaining their places.

Carlisle made one change, with the injured Owen Moxon being replaced by Jayden Harris.

Straight from kick off, Boro hit the front. Danny Rose leaping and flicking the ball on to Luke Norris, whose deft touch returned to the onrushing Rose, but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Soon after, Read lined a shot up from the edge box but smashed a low drive off the post. Warning signs again from Evans men.

The fast start to the game continued as the ball was delivered into the Boro box from which there were appeals for a Carlisle penalty, before Armer blazed over the bar from 10 yards. 

In the 15th minute, Smith hit a gorgeous shot with the outside of his foot over the 6'9 giant Thomas Holy in goal, but it grazed the bar.

It was Smith who opened the scoring a mere minute later. His deflected shot nestling into the far corner of the goal for a well-deserved lead.

Boro continues to press and in the 34th minute the ball was laid down to Luke Norris whose wayward shot really should've been hitting the back of the net.

The tenacious Smith was again involved in the second goal. His exquisite cross was met by Max Clark for his first goal of the season and to double the lead.

It looked like Boro would cruise into half time unscathed, but poor defending at the back post allowed Kristian Dennis to half the deficit just before the whistle to dampen an otherwise positive half for Evans men.

After half time, the lively Dennis forced a low stop from Ashby-Hammond, before the resulting corner was nodded wide by Mellish.

Straight up the other end from the goal kick, Luke Norris used his body well to spin his man but fired straight at Holy much to his dismay.

Norris again found himself in the right position but his goal bound effort was blocked, the ball then trickled to Smith who could only fire straight at the defender from 10 yards out.

Drama continued at both ends of the pitch, a half miskick half slice from Ashby-Hammond is cleared up by his defence before a quick counter found Jamie Reid. The substitute fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

It was the other substitute Jake Taylor's chance to fire on goal next. A misplaced header on the edge of the Carlisle box found itself at his feet before his half volley narrowly flashed past the post.

Boro slowed the tempo of the game down to seal a gritty 2-1 win and making it five unbeaten for Evans men.